MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
27 SEPTEMBER 2005

The blooming of a Rhododendron affair . . .

The 2005 Dunedin Rhododendron Festival welcomes Rhododendron and garden lovers to Dunedin and Otago from 27-30 October 2005.

Now in its 22nd year, the four-day annual Rhododendron Festival is a much-enjoyed part of the Dunedin spring calendar.

Rhododendron Festival Event Co-ordinator Annemarie Mains says she is delighted to bring new events to the festival in 2005.

The 2005 Dunedin Rhododendron Festival features a full range of activities, including three hour to full day Rhododendron tours, a ceramic workshop, a seaside house and garden tour hosted by Judith Cullen, a Middlemarch floral design demonstration by Peter Johnstone and tours around some of the fine private homes and gardens of Dunedin and Otago.

Other attractions include the new native plant trail at Larnach Castle, and a special Rhododendron golf tournament at Balmacewen.

As always, the centerpiece of the Festival is the gorgeously blooming Rhododendron Dell situated in the delightful Dunedin Botanic Gardens.

Rhododendron lovers can take the exclusive Zonta House and Garden Tour complete with a champagne brunch, meet the experts at Nichols to discover more about garden design, or enjoy the heavenly scent of the Dell during a guided tour.

Always popular with local gardeners, the Lions Club Garden Fete is another not to be missed event.

Ticket prices range from $3 - $45 for most events, while $120 purchases a full-day Country Garden Tour across inland Otago.

The festival also includes a range of free events for the whole family.

Bookings are essential, and can be made by contacting the individual event listed in the festival programme, or by calling Communication Link, Telephone 03 474 5162.

Programmes for the 22nd Rhododendron Festival 2005 are available from the Dunedin Visitor's Centre.

For news, information, ticket prices and event calendar please visit the website www.rhododunedin.co.nz

ENDS

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